I hope they offer a cheaper version...in the 27K range. I don't need too many options to be happy (AC, power widows/locks, cruise control...and I'm happy).

I think the looks do need tweaking, but overall it's a HUGE improvement over the current EVO.

I for one, regardless of performance...refuse to drive "fast-ugly"...lol. The current EVO, I wouldn't call it outright ugly...but it's not good looking either.

 

Well for those of you going to the NYIAS it will be shown there next week so you can see it in person.

Mitsu is coming out with a minor change to the IX which will be built in July and August of this year then there will be over a year of no Evos until the X comes out probably early 08 for the US. New airbag laws go into effect in the US for any car built after Sept 1 in 2006 and the current Evo does not comply with them.

It’s going to be a long 2 year wait; I just wish they would offer the Evo X in this format as well as the Sportback 5 door format. I’ll take either as long as it’s under 40k with an option or two but I’d prefer the sportback. This just is just so much better looking than the STI and the S4 IMO.

 

i hate rice wings

 

It looks a million percent better than the current Evo.

If I bought the old style Evo, only to have them come out with this, I'd drown my face in a bowl of soup.

They should kill the stupid wing, though - hence, further de-ricing it.

 

Millions times better looking than the current one.... even with the wing. The ugly is what kept me away from WRX/EVO up till this point.

 

Funny thing is people on the Evolutionm.net board are like "Hurry buy the last real Evo before it's too late".

While I think Mitsu will loose some of it's existing Evo customers because of the change they will gain a lot more new ones. Me for one.

 

I rike it arot... without the wing.

 

Are those new airbag laws related to frontal protection or side impact protection. One my biggest complaints on the Evo is lack of a side impact airbag option. Even the crappy $12k base model Lancer can be equipped with them.
That has nothing to do with the looks though. It's because the IX is the last Evo to be offered with the cast iron block, closed deck, bullet proof 4g63 engine. The new 2.0L will be all aluminum.

 

It’s due to the new front airbag laws although I’m sure the X will be offered with side-airbags if not I won’t be buying it.



Some of the existing Evo faithful are skeptical of the new engine and are worried that a manual might not be offered. This is understandable but at some point you need to upgrade an engine and 4g63 has been around for 10+ years. Mistu is moving the Evo out of the niche market and bringing it more mainstream but as with BMW’s debacle on the new M5 (offering only with SMG, which they are changing for 07) I don’t think they will not offer at least a 5spd in addition to the DSG (they might but it would be foolish). I can also understand that for an engine and platform that is so easy to mod because it is so well known would induce some worry as well. The Evo is making a significant change and change can be embraced or feared. We’ll know in about a year or so when the Japanese version is available if there was any cause to worry.

 

Gosh...why are people such drama queens? The new Evo is not even out and already they are pulling a "not a real (enter car here RX8 or EVo X) because it's different than the current car.

Why would they consider this Evo "not a real EVO"? Is bad looks part of the EVO legend????

 

I think its probably because the Evo's relationship with the 4G63. They have been through a lot together. Its like mazda bringing out a new RX7 with a piston engine. Its not a RX without the rotary; its not an evo without the 4G63.

 

Raw unfiltered performance is part of the Evo legend, start putting in some of the crap that Mitsubishi is talking about and it's going to weigh more and be watered down. I don't want the average Joe to like it, I want car enthusiasts to like it. If I wanted luxury and gadgets I'd buy an S4, if I want a really fun, raw, driving experience I'll buy an Evo, those lines are now being blurred with what Mitsuibishi has been saying about the concept X. Also, you and everyone else that talks like you need to get it through your narrow minds that there are quite a few people out there that like the looks of the current Evo.

 

I think the 4g63 and a 16G turbo has been in every Evo from the original "Evolution" to the IX.

 

I (and probably more than a few others) would disagree with you. The fact that the current incarnation of the Evo is "ugly" is more true than not, but it is legendary in it's current form.

Beneath it's pissed-off, snot-nosed, wombat-like exterior, it is a pure and unadulterated high performance rally car. This is why people buy it.

The X is pretty in a generic fashion. If it's performance is anything less than the current version, then it will be shunned, just as the 8 is shunned in comparison to the FD.

The bottom line is that just like the 8 is not "supposed" to be an FD, people will judge a car against it's predecessor. If the Evo X does not have the performance characteristics of the previous Evo's, it to shall be tossed into the bin of Rx-8's and 350 Z's of the world; the world of castrated potential.

And the homely Evo will join the ranks of the great cars, drowning it's face in a bowl of soup with the FD's of the world, and licking it's chops with a smile.

 

Well said. It may not win the "sexiest car of the year" award, but I think history will look kindly upon the CT9A Evos.

 

The descision has already been made by Mitsu, the concept at least on the exterior is fairly-well set. The decision to go in a slightly new direction is also obvious. Mitsu can to a degree satisfy existing customers and bring new ones in at the same time. Offer an RS version with a 5 or 6 speed manual and only basic options. Then offer other trims or options for those who want leather, navigation and so forth. The performance should be there from what I've read and seen, S-AWC and more HP with similar weight.

Most everyone would like to have a unique car, one you don't see everyday but that is exactly the opposite of a car manufacturers desires. Do you think BMW is sad that they are selling 200k Mini's a year instead of 100k? You can be uniques and be successful at the same time.

 

Better looking that the IX, and much better looking than the new STi.

Still only so-so looking. The 8 is much nicer to look at, but sadly is gutless.

 

i like the look of the current evo just as much as i like the look of the rx8. evo looks down right intimidating.

 

Yes...quite a "few". Regardless...you like the looks, good for you but the EVO is known for it's performance and not for it's looks. No one ever said that nobody liked the EVO's looks...just that the Concept X is a HUGE improvement over the current EVO.

Most people would agree, you might disagree...no problem, I'm not going to get all pissy over "your" opinion on the car.

I respect the performance of the EVO, it's a great bang for your buck...but I've never liked the looks that much while I don't go as far as saying it's outright ugly.

Performance is what it's about, looks fall some place at the back of what Mitsu cared about the most for the EVO.